Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026

12:33
Origami Inspired Self-assembly of Patterned and Reconfigurable Particles
Published on: February 4, 2013
22.3K
Reprogrammable Chemical 3D Shaping for Origami, Kirigami, and Reconfigurable Molding.
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3210 North Cramer Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53211, USA.
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|May 31, 2017
Summary
Scientists developed a new chemical shaping strategy to autonomously create complex 3D origami and kirigami structures. This reprogrammable method uses a reverse patterning technique on Nafion sheets for efficient material fabrication.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Origami and kirigami principles inspire novel approaches in materials engineering.
- These principles enable the creation of structural hierarchy and adaptive functions in materials.
- Applications range from soft robotics to deployable structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a reprogrammable 3D chemical shaping strategy for autonomous fabrication of complex origami and kirigami structures.
- To demonstrate a versatile method for engineering advanced material architectures.
- To reduce fabrication time, cost, and waste in 3D material design.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a reverse patterning method on pre-stretched Nafion sheets.
- Encoding 3D geometric information as a spatial pattern of unlocked and locked phases.
- Leveraging the chemical reprogramming capability of Nafion as a shape memory polymer.
Main Results:
- Successful autonomous creation of a wide variety of stable complex origami and kirigami structures.
- Demonstration of a reconfigurable molding technology for high-fidelity 3D material shaping.
- Validation of the strategy's efficiency in reducing time, costs, and waste.
Conclusions:
- The presented chemical shaping strategy offers a novel and efficient approach to fabricating complex 3D structures.
- This method holds significant potential for advancing materials engineering and enabling diverse applications.
- The reprogrammable nature of the technique allows for versatile and sustainable material design.

